Little Chubby One gave a shiver, his face even paler than that of the little servant, and trembling, he came before Donna Smith, forcing a smile uglier than crying, and said, “Mother, please don’t be angry. I caught a big golden fish, I caught it for you, Mother, you’ll definitely like it...”

A trace of gentleness flashed in Donna Smith’s eyes, though her face remained stern. She said, “What did I tell you before you left? Don’t go near the big river, don’t go near the big river! I said it twice! Why can’t you remember?!”

“Mother... I...” Little Chubby One couldn’t get the words out, his eyes already brimming with tears.

“Don’t cry. You are the great-grandson of Emperor Suzong Xiaozhang! The cousin of the current emperor! How can you disgrace your ancestors?”

Little Chubby One immediately fell silent, not daring to sob again. Donna Smith shook her head, gently embraced Little Chubby One, and waved to the servants, saying, “Kneel outside the door!” The household servants answered and left. Donna Smith held Little Chubby One in her arms and said softly, “Your father left us women and children behind and passed away early. You must always remember, at all times, never forget your identity. You are the emperor’s nephew, of the same Hejian royal line. You must not bring shame to the imperial family, and even less to your father! Do you understand?”

Little Chubby One nodded thoughtfully. Seeing this, Donna Smith’s expression softened a little. She looked around and asked in a low voice, “Tell me honestly what happened today, don’t deceive your mother.” Little Chubby One then lay in his mother’s arms and told her about the day’s events. Of course, he left out small matters like secretly changing clothes or sitting improperly. After talking for a long time, Little Chubby One looked up and saw Donna Smith staring blankly, lost in thought. He reached out his chubby hand and waved it in front of his mother’s face, and only then did Donna Smith come back to herself.

She set Little Chubby One down and slowly walked into the main hall. The golden fish was placed on the desk, its body over a hundred jin, gleaming all over, with astonishing dragon whiskers. Bending down to stroke its scales, a fresh fragrance wafted over. Yet Donna Smith’s mind was filled with countless thoughts. She stood up, silent, her heart in turmoil. There had been many so-called auspicious omens lately, but they were all nonsense like yellow dragons appearing in someone’s well. Donna Smith had never believed in such things, but now this omen was right before her eyes, this...

Is Heaven trying to foretell something? Could it be that my son will have great fortune in the future?

The more she thought, the more excited Donna Smith became. Wasn’t this exactly it? Otherwise, why would Heaven send a golden fish to my son? And thinking of the current emperor, whose health was poor and who had no sons, and his two younger brothers—one disliked by the emperor for drunken misdeeds, the other beheaded for rebellion—could this not be a sign? If so, these household servants could not be kept, and this omen could not be reported to the imperial family... Donna Smith fell into a kind of obsession. In her eyes, her child was so outstanding, even the throne itself was within reach!

Little Chubby One had no idea why his mother was acting this way. He just sat bored at the table, his chubby cheeks in his hands, watching his mother. Suddenly, Donna Smith turned, glanced at Little Chubby One, and hurriedly walked out. There were maids outside the door; seeing Donna Smith so flustered, they were about to ask, but Donna Smith pushed them aside. They had no choice but to stay behind. Donna Smith entered her late husband’s study, took the treasured sword from the desk, knelt and bowed to the surroundings, and then made her way back to the main hall.

Seeing his mother come in with a sword, Little Chubby One was truly frightened, his face turning deathly pale. Donna Smith paid him no mind, first ordering that no one be allowed to enter, locked the door, then approached the golden fish, raised the sword, and struck down hard at the big fish. The fish’s scales were not as tough as expected; with one blow, the sword plunged into the fish’s body. Donna Smith drew the sword out and hacked several more times before finally seeing the inside of the fish’s belly. The golden fish had no internal organs; inside was only a black object, and even when struck by the sword, it was completely undamaged!

Excited, Donna Smith took out the black object—it was a thick book. She didn’t know what material it was made of, but it was not as rough as ordinary paper, and was smooth all over.

“A heavenly book!” Donna Smith couldn’t help but cry out, then immediately covered her mouth. Little Chubby One, seeing his mother take something out, curiously hurried over. On the cover were several golden characters written in a bold, flowing script. Donna Smith, born of humble origins, could not read and didn’t know what it meant. She opened the book and looked for a long time. Little Chubby One frowned at the side. Donna Smith pointed at the cover and asked, “What does this say?” Little Chubby One looked at it and said proudly, “Records of the Three Kingdoms!” He then glanced at the line of small characters below and added, “Seems to be written by someone named Chen Shou...”

“That’s not a man!”

“That’s an immortal sage!”

Donna Smith said excitedly. She had only wanted to try, but never expected that there really was a heavenly book hidden in the fish’s belly. My son truly bears a heavenly destiny! Donna Smith’s eyes turned red. She bent down and said very seriously, “This concerns the lives of us mother and son. The matter of the big fish must never be told to anyone, understand?” This was the first time his mother had ever asked his opinion. Little Chubby One was so excited his face turned red. He nodded vigorously and said, “Mother, I swear I will never tell!”